Hymns, Hymnody, Translations and a few assorted
Exegetical and Historical Thoughts thrown in
Exegetical and Historical Thoughts thrown in
Christmas; Henry Bramley; Incarnation; regularThis is a favorite of mine. I wrote this tune in 2001 when I was on vicarage in California, after finding the public domain text online. Since then, it has become a standard hymn we sing at Christmas in my churches. In 2002, I submitted this hymn in for consideration to the Lutheran Service Book hymnal. It did not make the final list, but it was on the cusp, so I was told by a friend on the hymn committee. (Coincidentally, there are some hymns I see in LSB sometimes that are of lesser quality than this, and I just shake my head at how those got in and this one didn't). Here is a fine Christmas hymn, "The Great God of Heaven," text by Henry R. Bramley (1833-1917). My original tune, INCARNATION, is also attached beneath the text as an embedded PDF. The Great God of Heaven Henry R. Bramley (1833-1917) 1. The great God of heaven is come down to earth, His mother a virgin and sinless His birth; The Fa-her eternal His Father alone: He sleeps in the manger, He reigns on the throne. Refrain. Refrain: Then let us adore Him, and praise His great love: To save us poor sinners He came from above. Refrain. 2. A Babe on the breast of a maiden He lies, Yet sits with the Father on high in the skies; Before Him their faces the seraphim hide, While Joseph stands waiting, unscared, by His side. Refrain. 3. Lo! here is Emanuel, here is the Child, The Son that was promised to Mary so mild; Whose pow'r and dominion shall ever increase, The Prince that shall rule o'er a kingdom of peace. Refrain. 4. The Wonderful Counselor, boundless in might, The Father's own image, the beam of His light; Behold Him now wearing the likeness of man, Weak, helpless, and speechless, in measure a span. Refrain. 5. O wonder of wonders, which none can unfold: The Ancient of Days is an hour or two old; The Maker of all things is made of the earth, Man worshipped by angels, and God comes to birth. Refrain. 6. The Word in the bliss of the Godhead remains, In flesh comes to suffer the keenest of pains; He is that He was, and forever shall be, But becomes that He was not, for you and me. Refrain. 11 11 11 11 11 11 Text: Public Domain Tune: INCARNATION, copyright © Oct. 29, 2001, Robert J. H. Mayes. All rights reserved.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorRev. Robert J. H. Mayes is a justified sinner through faith in Christ. He is a husband, father, an LCMS pastor, musician, and has a strong interest in Lutheranism, Christ-centered Scriptural exegesis and the hymns of the Church. In his spare time, he likes to watch the Kansas City Chiefs. Archives
May 2022
CategoriesImportant Links- - LCMS website - Nebraska dist. - CPH - Issues, Etc. - Lutheran Public Radio - PRDL (Post Reformation Digital Library) Other Hymn sites - What you need to know about hymns - Public domain Lutheran hymns - Mark Preus - Matthew Carver - Walther's Hymnal (ed. Carver) - Stephen Starke - Starke hymns vol. 1 & vol. 2 - Alan Kornacki Jr. - Kathryn Ann Hill - Robin Fish, Jr. - Kurt E. Reinhardt - Center for Church Music (Concordia Chicago) |